Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards. I’ve just been digging through old files to locate information relating to much earlier published work , the first when I was just 14 years old, to make sure I finally have a complete cv. It was quite a fascinating process and brought back lots of memories of times when I typed onto a typewriter, progressing to an Amstrad before finally getting a pc. Now I use a laptop mainly. There are benefits in documenting everything. It helps to complete the picture. And whenever I lose confidence and think that, because I’ve never written a major prestigious literary award winning work (and because I write genre fiction) that I’m not a proper writer, I look at my list of published works. 27 novels (many translated into 7 languages), 3 short story collections, 21 poems, 35 articles and nearly 200 short stories.
The challenge is to keep learning, keep improving. To keep working at it.
Hi Jane, Wow, 27 novels!!! And more! Go, girl, you are one extraordinarily proper writer. And keep on going. Yes I also found the coaching for writers gave me pause a bit; in my case it sent me back to writing. By the way in the email we got from nawe it gives your blog address spelled as blogpost, when it should be blogspot. But I found you anyway.
ReplyDeleteMy blog (if this is allowed through) is http://teachingcreativewriting.blogspot.com
Hi Susan - thanks for comments, lovely to hear from you and I have emailed a reply which I hope gets to you. Cheers!
DeleteWell there are many skilled and successful architects (for example) who haven't won the Stirling Prize, and the Booker Prize judges rubbished Tolkien's writing. So I don't think that not winning prestigious prizes is anything to worry about.
ReplyDeleteI've just started writing in my late 40s after many busy years doing interesting things. Getting into that creative zone is wonderfully fulfilling, wherever it leads. The trouble is that a busy and responsible job doesn't allow much time (or, more to the point, energy) to write.
dear whitehorsepilgrim - thanks for comments, and I love your blog and the pics. And your self discipline with writing. Your comments got me thinking about writing time and I've based my recent post around it. I'd be interested in your thoughts on this.
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